Recently in Covina Category

Covina's newest City Manager, Daryl Parrish, is scheduled to begin on June 1.

In this story, which ran in The San Bernardino Sun, it discusses a "perception problem" that may have been created when Parrish used $15,000 from Cotlon's discrentionary funds to hire a consultant to work for the city.

Meanwhile, Covina was using the same consultant to interview city manager applicants. In the end, Parrish was selected for Covina.

Councilman Kevin Stapleton, however, said that Covina used the consultant back in the 1990s when they first hired the previous city manager, Paul Philips, and that the consultant had no say in their selection of Parrish.

Here's the story:

Colton consultant also worked for Covina, which just hired Colton 's city manager
Sun, The (San Bernardino, CA) - Monday, May 25, 2009
Author/Byline: Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Section: News

COLTON - A consultant hired to provide ethics training and other services for the City Council is the same man the Covina City Council used to recruit its new city manager.

Colton City Manager Daryl Parrish was one of 59 applicants who vied for the Covina job and ended up being Covina's top choice.

The recruiter who narrowed the field from 59 to about 15 is Bill Mathis, a psychologist that specializes in management psychology. Mathis is one of about seven recruiters in the state that helps cities find candidates for high-profile job openings.

In October 2007 Parrish used his $25,000 discretionary fund, which doesn't require council approval, to award a $15,000 contact to Mathis to aid the council in developing a "norms and ethics policy," goal setting and provide other services until April 30, city reports say. In August, the council voted 4-3 to extend the contract to June 30 and increase Mathis' compensation to an amount not to exceed $50,000, reports say.

The situation has raised the eyebrows of some residents who say Parrish and Mathis should have disclosed the issue to the public to avoid any perception of backdoor dealings.

"My understanding is that he ( Parrish ) has been looking for a job elsewhere for a while," said Frank Navarro, a resident and member of the political group Colton First, which is often critical of city leaders. "It raises questions for anybody who has an interest in the community. Did he use taxpayer money to improve his chances of obtaining a job elsewhere?"

Parrish denies any ill intent in hiring Mathis. In the wake of scandals involving former councilmembers - including Ramon Hernandez and Donald Sanders - Parrish said Councilman David Toro directed him to formulate some sort of ethics system the council would follow and the idea was supported by Mayor Kelly Chastain.

Toro said his intent was to implement a policy that would set consequences if elected officials engaged in unethical activity, but such a system never came to fruition.

The recommendation to use Mathis for ethics training came from the city's law firm, Best Best & Krieger, city reports say.

Parrish has stated in public that he has applied for city manager jobs in other cities. In 2006 and 2007 he was a finalist for city manager openings in Hemet and Redlands, respectively. Mathis was not the recruiter for either city.

"I think people in the marketplace know that I'm a senior manager," Parrish said. "There was no premeditation on my part to hire Mathis so I could use him as my personal executive recruiter. The Covina council will attest to that, I'm there because I won the race."

A hiring committee made up of Covina Mayor Walt Allen and Councilman Kevin Stapleton took the 15 applicants Mathis selected from the entire pool and reduced the field to six finalists. Parrish was unanimously selected by the five-member Covina council, Allen said.

"He (Mathis) had nothing to do with the final selection of the candidate," Allen said. "There was just no comparison. We had some stellar candidates, but he ( Parrish ) just had what we were looking for."

Mathis said he didn't notify the Colton council he had selected Parrish as a candidate from the pool of applicants in Covina because "all of the city managers who were applying were guaranteed by me confidentiality."

Mathis said he didn't personally recruit Parrish and he learned the job was available and applied for it on his own.

Jessica Levinson, director of political reform for the Los Angeles-based Center for Governmental Studies, said applicant privacy is a valid reason for not making the job search public, but public officials should take special care to avoid creating a situation the public could view as unethical.

"It's the perception problem here," she said, "of making it look like public officials are going behind the backs of the public and engaging in dealings for their own benefit.

"Whether that was going on or not, the way to avoid that is to be as open and as transparent as possible, especially when you have a city that has a history of scandal. When the public starts to lose faith in their public officials it hurts the integrity of the governmental process."

The contract for Covina's newest City Manager, Daryl Parrish, is going to be approved tonight. Here what he's getting, according to the contract on page 186 of tonight's staff report:

1. Annual salary: $203,490, subject to an annual 5 percent bonus pay. Base salary is $199,500, but htat is increaesd because of a 2 percent educational incentive.

2. City Car: Parrish will get a fully equipped sedan capable of seating at least 5 people. Insurance and maintenance paid for by the city.

3. Time off: 75 hours per year of administrative leave, 20 days of vacation leave, same holidays and sick leave accrual as all other city employees.

4. Retirement Benefits: CalPers/PARS benefit totalling 2.7 percent @ 55; plus $250 a month paid by city in a deferred compensation plan.

5. Free Rent: The manager can live at the city owned 125 E. Italia Street property on a month-to-month basis. When the property will be needed for redevelopment purposes, the city will offer housing assistance payment of $1,000 per month.

6. Severance: If the City Manager is fired, he gets a 12 month severance pay ($199,500).

Patricia Allen, wife of Covina Mayor Walter Allen III, lost her 16 year battle with cancer on Tuesday.

Here is some information provided by the city:

Patricia Thomas Allen, the wife of Covina Mayor Walter Allen III, passed away
following a valiant sixteen-year battle with cancer on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.
Patricia was born on November 11, 1951. In addition to her husband of 37 years,
she is survived by her son Walter David Allen IV, and two brothers Keith and
Richard Thomas.

Patricia Allen was an artist, specializing in acrylic and oil. She was a vibrant,
active member of the community; involved with many civic organizations and St.
Louise De Marillac Catholic Church, and she enjoyed spending time with her many
loving friends. Among her many friendly and outgoing qualities, Patricia will be
remembered for her beautiful smile and positive attitude, even during her most dire
health challenges.

Services for Patricia Allen will take place on Thursday and Friday, May 28 and
May 29:

• Thursday, May 28, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Rosary at St Louise De Marillac
Catholic Church, 1720 E Covina Blvd. Covina CA

The City of Covina provides responsive municipal services and manages public resources to enhance the quality of life for our community.

• Friday, May 29, 10:00 AM, Mass at St Louise De Marillac Catholic Church,
1720 E Covina Blvd. Covina CA, followed by Interment at Oakdale
Cemetery, 1401 So Grand Ave. Glendora CA

Following Internment, family and friends are invited to celebrate Pat's life at
Covina Center for the Performing Arts 104 N. Citrus Ave. Covina CA, hosted by
Chris & Retha Champion.

In lieu of flowers the family has suggested donations to one of the following:

• Citrus Valley Hospice, 820 N. Phillips Avenue, West Covina CA 91791
• Ettie Lee Youth and Family Services, PO Box 339, Baldwin Park CA 91706
• Stillpoint Family Resources, PO Box 5103, West Hills CA 91308
• American Cancer Society, 915 N. Grand Avenue, Covina CA 91724

Here's a story printed in our sister paper, the San Bernardino Sun, about new Covina City Manager Daryl Parrish:

Colton city manager headed to Covina
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/07/2009 06:38:35 PM PDT

COLTON - City Manager Daryl Parrish has resigned to become the city manager of Covina, it was announced Thursday.

His last day with Colton will be sometime after May 14, Parrish said. The City Council will discuss its strategy to find a replacement at a meeting Tuesday, he said.

"Transitions can be bittersweet as this one certainly is," Parrish said, "as I leave behind a gifted, talented and caring staff, a community on the brink of exciting and dynamic change, and a mayor and council who I feel will rise to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead with vision, determination and hopefully with solidarity.

Assistant City Manager Mark Nuaimi can fill the role of "acting city manager" while a replacement for Parrish is sought, but law prohibits a mayor of one city from also being the city manager in another, Parrish said. Nuaimi is Mayor of Fontana.

Parrish began working in Colton in 1991 with the Redevelopment Department. He became assistant city manager in 1996 and city manager in 2001.

"Daryl has been a dedicated servant to the people of Colton," Councilman Richard DeLaRosa said. "He's provided the leadership in tough times and I hope this opportunity benefits him and his family."

A news release from Covina says Parrish will start his new job June 1. He will make a base annual salary of $199,500, the release said. Parrish's base annual salary with Colton was about $193,000, he said.

"I really appreciate him for his good work in Colton, but most of all I'm going to miss having this caliber of a person around," Councilman Vince Yzaguirre said. "He's a good man."

Jennifer McLain just posted this bit of information on our Web site:

COVINA - Ten months after the firing of the city's top executive, elected leaders have finally decided on a new City Manager.

Daryl Parrish, who for the past eight years has served as Colton city manager, will serve as Covina's city manager effective June 1.

"I am very excited and I think that it he will be a good fit for the city," Allen said. "And the council unanimously believes that, too."

It looks like there is hope after all for the expansion of a psychiatric hospital -- although the residents who have been fighting Aurora Charter Oak Hospital sure won't be happy to hear that.

Last month, the Covina City Council voted 4-1 to deny a 39-bed expansion to Aurora Charter Oak Hospital. But now city staff seem to be urging the council to reconsider their vote, and send the issue back to the Planning Commission for further modifcations.

The council will discuss this at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Covina City Hall, 125 East College St.

Lots of local government stories over the weekend, both by the Trib and even the Times, which featured a story about El Monte.

Valley County is hiking its rates for water users in Irwindale, Azusa, West Covina and Baldwin Park. Read more.

The owners of the indoor swap meet, Covina Mini Mall, finally came forward and agreed to fix 39 code violations. Read more.

Is horse racing dead? Not yet, but just about. Read more.

Monrovia City Hall will remove brush from public property, much to the relief of the residents, who were previously told it was the responsibility of homeowners. Read more.

The late Thelma Powell, whose husband opened Powell Camera Shop in Covina in 1952, was "one of those sweet little ladies," writes Martiza Velasquez. Read more.

Overhaul of the 10 and 605 freeway interchanges could start a year earlier than expected. Read more.

Public safety in El Monte could take another hit, only this time around, its the fire fighters. One of the city's four fire stations could be closed as a result of a growing deficit. Read more.

Meanwhile, the LA Times writes an overview this weekend of El Monte, its history, and how the city has been hit especially hard by the recession. Read more.

Monterey Park officials scratch head wondering why bus ridership is falling in their city as it climbs everywhere else. Read more.

Candidates for the 32nd Congressional seat keep trucking along, even though Judy Chu and Gil Cedillo appear to have gotten a lot of media attention over the past few weeks.

Covina resident and former Covina Councilman Dave Truax, who is running for the 32nd Congressional seat, is hosting a meet and greet "dessert reception" from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the home of Steve and Donna Cayson, 1524 E. Algrove Street in Covina.

Tonight, candidate Teresa Hernandez, a West Covina native, will have an event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the South El Monte restaurant, Cielito Lindo, 1612 N. Santa Anita Ave. Among those in attendance will be Sen. Bob Huff, Covina Mayor Walt Allen and Rosemead Mayor Margaret Clark.

Covina-Valley Unified School District voted to close two schools, Covina and Valencia elementaries, because of budget cuts and declining enrollment. Read here.

New council majority, new guidlines. The Rosemead City Council looks for middle groud as it rethinks the city's building heights, parking requirements and density laws. Read here.

The California Democratic Party endorses Board of Equalization Chairwoman Judy Chu, who is running for the 32nd Congressional seat.

For college kids and marijuana enthusiasts around the country, 420 is a very important day. And if you need a dispensary to go to, here's the local spot. But since it doesn't have any permits, it likely won't be around for much longer.

Covina officials held a meeting earlier today to discuss the appointment of a full-time city manager. Nothing was finalized, though Mayor Walter Allen said he hoped to "come to a conclusion by Monday or Tuesday."

"We're still in deliberation," he said. "We had a positive meeting today on this issue and we hope to have something as early as the beginning of this coming week."

The position is temporarily being filled by former Pasadena City Manager Cynthia Kurtz.

The Covina City Council tonight is meeting Tuesday night with Aurora Charter Oak Hospital to discuss the possible expansion. Resident Brad Tombow is expecting a heavy turnout at the meeting on Tuesday.

"Oh, it's going to be packed. I guarantee you it will be standing room only," Tombow said Monday.

Also out of Covina, there will be the State of the City address on Wednesday at 7 a.m. Here is the info about the State of the City, which will be at Brunsiwck Covina Bowl. Read more.

It looks like Covina is probably going to hire a new city manager today:

The closed session is at 2 p.m.

CLOSED SESSION
A. Government code §54957--PERSONNEL MATTERS
Public Employee Appointment--Title: City Manager

Walnut filed NFL stadium.

Hacienda Heights to go out to bid for trash contract. Sorry Athens.

State of City addresses in both Baldwin Park and Montebello.

Covina's Walt Allen is now Mayor.

Glendora Mayor Karen Davis set to lead council again.

Skateboarding parrot has been stolen.

Another candidate for Solis' former seat:

David Truax for Congress Post Office Box 5082
Covina, CA 91723
Contact: David Truax, Candidate

PRESS RELEASE

David Truax to run for 32nd District congressional seat.

David Truax, community volunteer and former Mayor of Covina, has announced that he will be running in the special election for the U. S. House of Representatives, 32nd District of California.

David moved to the San Gabriel Valley with his family in 1962. He grew up in Covina, attended schools in the Charter Oak and Covina Valley Unified School Districts, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management from Cal Poly Pomona, served six years of active duty in the United States Navy, and founded a small electrical design business that he has owned and operated for the last twenty-six years.

David is a Republican and has been a community activist and volunteer for the past thirty-eight years. In 1999, David was elected to the Covina City Council, serving his last two years as the Mayor of Covina. He continues to serve as a volunteer police chaplain for the Covina Police Department.

"The best way to stimulate the economy is to return tax dollars to the people who pay taxes", says Truax. He strongly advocates returning congress to the six basic responsibilities of the United States Constitution as outlined in the preamble. Truax says, "Congress has particularly fallen short of their assigned goals of forming a more perfect union and of securing the blessings of liberty."

Married for almost twenty-nine years, David has three children. He attends Faith Community Church in West Covina where he is a founding member.

"The most important need of the 32nd District today", according to David, "is the need to send a trusted, discerning, hard working representative to Washington, one who is connected to the community and who will fight for the needs of all of the people in the district."

Whoa. There are a few upsets in this round of elections.

• In Rosemead, incumbents John Tran and John Nunez were ousted. Returning to office is Maggie Clark, and now she will be joined by Steven Ly and Sandra Armenta, according to this article.
• In Covina, Kevin Stapleton and John King are returning to the council, and filling the open seat will be former Councilman Bob Low. City Clerk Rosie Fabian received the second lowest number of votes, according tot the city's Web site.
• In Monterey Park, David Lau returns to office, but Sharon Martinez was ousted. Martinez's seat will now be filled by Betty Tom Chu.Here's the unofficial results.
• In Azusa, it's much of the same. Voters returned the city's incumbents to to two council seats Tuesday night. Incumbents Keith Hanks and Robert Gonzales held the lead with only provisional ballots left to count Tuesday night. Gonzales had 1,338 votes, while Hanks had 1,141.
  

It's election day in several of our cities, including Monrovia, Covina, Azusa, Monterey Park and Temple City.

Any voting issues today?

We got one call this morning about a Covina resident who said the polling place at the Covina United Methodist Church didn't have the information for voters with last names M - Z. It took the guy, whose last name was in the M - Z category, 25 minutes to vote. There were only three people in line, but he had to use a provisional ballot because of the name mix up.

I know it is Monday and a little past due (not to mention this will be two posts in a row from me without a word of city politics/issues) but I had to take a minute to gloat.

55-54. SunDevils win. SunDevils win. SunDevils win.

Did I not say in a previous post that some late game heroics might be in store? And look at what happened!

The SunDevils now move on to face Sonora High School tomorrow night.

I bet my old English teacher Pat Schlosser, now AVHS principal, is feeling pretty good right now about his sports program. I know I am.

Before I leave for the weekend, I just wanted to leave everyone with one very meaningful, sentimental and powerful message:

GO APPLE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL SUNDEVILS!!

My alma mater is playing Charter Oak High School tonight in the second round of CIF Basketball playoffs after they creamed Cerritos Wednesday 90 to 76.

I was born and raised in Apple Valley and was the editor of my school newspaper there, The SunDial.

I was the sports editor there as a sophomore and I can remember that year covering an early CIF game when our boys team hit a buzzer beater to win the game. The crowd rushed the court and I shoved through to get a quote from the player who hit the game winning 3-pointer. I was so excited myself that I could hardly think of a question to ask, and as a young reporter mixed up in the furry I asked the question that many reporters often do in those situations (much to my chagrin now).

"How do you feel?"

Besides that, it was one of my favorite moments as a reporter in high school.

I hope for similar heroics tonight versus Charter Oak.

Covina City Council hopeful Rosie Fabian is trying to rock the youth vote. And what better way to do it then by letting them democratically chose what to watch when she hosts movie night next week.

Fabian along with two other council candidates came in Tuesday to have a meeting with our editorial board. She's apparently trying to engage young voters in Covina.

"I have prepared to assume the role of a Councilwomen by becoming heavily involved in public policy issues in the San Gabriel Valley through my responsibilities as the President of the League of Women Voters of the area. I am keenly aware of the issues that come before the Council and have often contemplated on how I vote on agenda items as the discussion takes place."

Here's her flyer for movie night next Thursday.